Flexible coupling



Nov; 8,1927; 1,648,078

W. A. V. THQMSEN FLEXIBLE COUPLING Filed Juxie 29. 1925 A TTORNEY parts:first, similar driving forming parts of Patented Nov. 8, .1927.

UNITED STATES v 1,648,07 PATENT FFICE.

WILLIAM A. V. THOMSEN', F PLAINEIELD, NEW JERSEY.

FLEXIBLE Application filed June 29;

This invention relates to flexible couplings of the Oldham type forconnecting shafts slightly out of alignment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a coupling of the abovetype in which balls, or members having portions of spherical surfaces,are interposed between surfaces on an intermediate floating member andsurfaces on members attached to the adj acent ends of the shafts.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for adjustingbearing members the intermediate member to eliminate lost motion betweenparts of the coupling and to compensate for wear.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means-forabsorbing shocks during operation by interposing non-metallic materialsuch as leather, wood, etc., between certain of the parts of thecoupling.

' -With these and other objects in view my invention consists in thefeatures of construction and operation set forth in the followingspecification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing:

In the drawing:

Figure '1 is a longitudinal view of one form of coupling made accordingto the present invention. a

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectionalview of the coupling shown in Fig. 1taken upon line 2-2 thereof.

Fi 3 is a view of one of the members forming the floating intermediateor cross piece.

Fig. 4: is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of the invention showingmembers having portins of sphericalsurfaces only used in place of theballsshown in Figs. '1' and 2.

In the above mentioned shown but two embodiments of which are now deemedpreferable, but it is to be, understood that changes and modificatimemay be made within the scope of the appended claims without "departingfrom the s irit of the invention.

Briefly, and in its broadest aspect, my invention comprises thefollowing principal and driven members adapted to be attached to theadjacent ends of shafts and havin diametrically opposite projectionsoutstan' in therefrom;

drawing I have the invention second, an intermediate floating member 'onthe projections 12 and wed COUIEfLING. I

1925. Serial No. 40,286.

comprising a hub member havin four wedge members adjustably secured tereto; and third, balls, or other members having spherical surfaces,adapted to be interposed 60 between plane bearing surfaces on theproections and the wedge members.

Referring more in detail to the figures of the drawing, I provide ashaft which may be assumed to be the driver with a member 11 keyeddirectly thereto and having outstanding projections 12 diametricallyopposed thereon. Another shaft 13, which may be assumed to be the drivenshaft, is also provided with a similar member 11 hav- 7 ing outstandingprojections 12 thereon. The projections 12 formed on these members 11have plane surfaces 14 parallel to each other on opposite sides anddisposed parallel to the axis of the shaft 10 or 13 to which the 75member 11 is attached. When in operative position the projections '12 onshafts 10. and 13 are positioned at right angles to each other.

Disposed between the two members 11 on the shafts 10 and 13 is a centralhub member 15 to which four wedge shaped members 16 are attached byadjustable means such as the screws 17 shown clearly in Fig. 2. Each ofthese wedge members 16 has bearing sur faces 18 at right angles .to eachother and a. hole 19 passing through it for the adjusting screw 17. Asshown in Fig. 2 the wedge members 16 are disposed between projections sothat each wedge member 161 lies between 00 a projection 12 on each ofthe members 11 attached to the shafts 10 and 13. Between the contiguousbearing surfaces 1 1.. and 18 e members 16' preferab y three being 95air of bearing surfaces ree balls 20, in the emare disposed balls 20used between each 14 and 18. These t bodiment of the invention shown inFi s. 1

to 4, between each pair of bearing sur aces 14 and 18 are positionedoutof alignment with each other so that they assume the'positions at theangles of a substantially equilateral triangle. The balls or otherspherical members 20 may be retained in pro r relative positions by aretainer 21 partia ly 10a surrounding each of the balls 20 and -attachedto one of the wedge members 16 by a flexible stripof metal 22.

With the parts of the coupling assembled as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 theshafts 10 and 13 are permitted ,to move axially a small amount, and torotate at uniform angular velocity even when slightly out of alignment.Also this action can take place without any slidin action between thebearing surfaces14 an between the shafts and 13 or angular movementbetween the shafts 10 and 13, as either movement when the shafts are outof alignment will cause the balls 20 to roll upon their bearingsurfaces.

Preferably each of the wedge members 16 is adjustably attached to thecentral hub member by means of a suitable screw 17. By adjusting thesescrews 17 the wedge members 16 may be moved toward or away from theircommon axis and thus lostmotion between the balls and their bearingsurfaces 14 and 18 may be eliminated. Also by this same adjustment anywear taking lace on the balls 20 and the bearing suraces 14 and 18 maybe taken up.

Fig. 3 shows in detail a preferred form of wedge member 16 in whichbearing strips 24 are formed separately from the wedge members 16 properand attached thereto so that a thickness of non-metallic compressiblematerial 25 is interposed. By means of this material 25 such as wood,leather, fibre, etc., shocks are absorbed and the smooth and quietoperation of the shafts 10 and 13 is enhanced.

Fig. 5 shows fragmentarily a modification of the invention in which thefloating intermediate member is a different type. As shown this memberis in the form of a ring having cylindrical pro'ections or pins 31outstanding therefrom. our-of these pins 31 are provided on which aremounted blocks 32 which may have a layer 33 of shock absorbing materialon sides at right angles to each other to which bearing strips 34 areattached. These bearing strips 34 have their outer or free surfacescarefully finished to form bearing surfaces for members 35. Preferablythree of these members 35 are provided adjacent the bearing strips 34.The ends of the members 35 are rounded so that the opposite ends formpart of a spherical surface having a diameter equal to the length of themember.

It will be understood that the shafts 10 and 13 will have memberssimilar to those shown at 11 when the intermediate member 30 shown inFig. 5 is used. The projections formed on members 11 may, however, bedifferently formed than as shown in Fig. 3. Instead of the projectionshaving opposite sides for bearin surfaces they may be wedge shape as sown at 36. On the sides of these projections 36 are slidably mountedmembers 37 which may be suitably dovetailed to the projections 36. Theopposite .outer surfaces 38 of the members 37 on each projection 36 are,as shown, parallel. These surfaces 38 form the bearing surfaces for themembers 35.

18 on either axial movement It will be seen that members 35 will bedisposed upon opposite sides of each of the projections 36, two of whichare on each of the members fixed to the driving and driven shafts. Eachof these members 35 will bear against one of the bearing surfaces 34 onthe blocks 32' mounted on the pins 31, of which there will be fourequally spaced about'the ring 30. Flexible members 39 may be attached tothe blocks for retaining the members 35 in proper position. Preferablymembers 39 have extensions secured thereto for attaching them to themembers 35, as shown at 40. A screw 41 threaded into each of theprojections 36 provides means for adjusting members 37 to take up wearupon the spherical members 35 and bearing members 34 and 37. Between thehead of each of the screws 41 and the members 37 may be disposed a smallplate 42.

What I claim is:

1. A flexible coupling of the Oldham type comprising in combination,members adapted to be attached to the adjacent ends of shafts and anintermediate member adapted to be disposed therebetween, wedge memberson said intermediate member, said members attached to the shafts and thewedge members on said intermediate member having cooperating planebearing surfaces, rolling members interposed between adjacent planebearing surfaces, and means to adjust said wedge members relative toeach other to eliminate lost motion.

2. A flexible coupling of the Oldham type comprising in combination,members adapted to be attached to the adjacent ends of shafts and anintermediate member adapted to be disposed between them, said membersattached to the shafts and said intermediate member having plane bearingsurfaces, rolling members interposed between adjacent bearing surfaces,and resilient shock absorbing means on said 1ntermediate member disposedadjacent certain of said bearing surfaces.

3. A flexible coupling of the Oldhamtype comprising in combination,members adapted to be attached to the adjacent ends of shafts and anintermediate member adapted to be disposed between them. said membersattached to the shafts and said intermediate member having bearingsurfaces, rolling members interposed between adjacent bearing surfaceson said members, resilient shock absorbing means on said intermediatemember disposed adjacent said 'be'arin surfaces thereon, and means toadjust said bearing surfaces relative to each other to eliminate lostmotion. 4. flexible coupling comprising in combinat1on,-members' adaptedto be attached respectively to' adjacent ends ofshafts, diametricallyopposite projections thereon having bearing surfaces 'on their sides, an

emma intermediate floating member comprising a central hub and membersattached thereto having bearing surfaces at right angles to each other,and rolling members disposed between the bearing surfaces on the projectio'ns and the bearing surfaces on the intermediate member.

5. A flexible coupling comprising in com bination, members adapted to beattached respectively to adjacent ends of shafts,diametrically oppositeprojections thereon having parallel bearing surfaces on their -oppositesides, an intermediate floating member comprising a central hub andmembers attached thereto having bearing surfaces at right angles to eachother, rolling members disposed between the bearing surfaces on theprojections and the bearing surfaces on the intermediate member, andretainin members for said rolling members.

6. A exible coupling comprising'in combination, members adapted to beattached respectively to adjacent ends of shafts, di-

ametrically opposite projections thereon ing bearing surfaces on theirsides, an intermediate floating member adapted to be disposed betweensaid first mentioned members, parts formed on said intermediate memberadapted to be adjustable toward and'from the central axis of saidintermediate member and having plane bearing surfaces thereon, androlling members disposed between the bearing surfaces on' theprojections "and the bearing surfaces on the intermediate member.

8. A flexible coupling, comprising in combination, members adapted to beattached respectively to adjacent ends of shafts, diametricall oppositeprojections thereon having para lel bearing surfaces on their oppo sitesides, an intermediate floating member adapted to be disposed betweensaid first mentioned members, bearing surfaces on parts of saidintermediate member, adapted to be adjustable toward and from the central axis of said intermediate member, balls disposed between thebearing surfaces on the projections and the bearing surfaces on theintermediate member, and retaining:-

members for said balls.

9; A flexible coupling comprising in combination, members adapted to be.attached respectively 'to adjacent ends of shafts, diametrieall oppositeprojections thereon having para lel bearing surfaces ontheir oppo sitesides, an intermediate floating member adapted to be disposed betweensaid. first mentioned members, bearing surfaces normal to each other onparts of said intermediate member adapted to beadjustable to- Ward andfrom the central axis of said intermediate member, and rolling membersdisposed between contiguous bearing surfaces on the projections and thebearing sur' faces on the intermediate member,

In testimony whereof, I' signature. x-"Y l 1AM A. V. THOMSEN,

